flora cash’s behind every beautiful thing is a soulful exploration of love and transformation
written by Ryan Cassata
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The iconic Swedish-American duo flora cash has recently released their fourth studio album, behind every beautiful thing, which is earning widespread acclaim across the globe, and rightfully so.
From the very first track, listeners are drawn in by Cole Randall’s tender, evocative vocals, accompanied by a hauntingly beautiful piano melody. Strings seamlessly fill the spaces, creating a rich and immersive atmosphere. The opening track, “Should’ve Dressed for the Event,” truly takes off soaring around the 1:30 mark. This captivating introduction hooks listeners with its enigmatic vocals and a compelling, catchy hook, perfectly setting the tone for the magic that unfolds throughout the rest of the album.
The warm piano continues into “just wanna feel you,” a romantic track that stands out as one of the highlights of the album. With its simple yet irresistible beat, the song effortlessly invites listeners to sway along. Shpresa Lleshaj takes the lead, delivering a stunning vocal performance, while Cole Randall’s backing vocals blend seamlessly with hers. Together, their voices intertwine beautifully, a testament to the undeniable creative chemistry that has always defined this duo.
“Like No One Could” opens with a breathtaking string section, adding a lush, orchestral layer to the album’s soundscape. Cole Randall soon takes the lead with a captivating and pop-infused vocal melody that immediately draws listeners in. The song is a heartfelt exploration of love and the uncertainty of the future; life’s twists and turns, how people change, and the ebb and flow of relationships. Will his love endure, or will it fade? In this track, he passionately pledges his devotion.
Shpresa Lleshaj amplifies the romantic tone with her entrance in the second verse, and their voices harmonize beautifully in the chorus, creating a powerful and moving culmination. From a songwriting perspective, this is undoubtedly one of the album’s standout tracks.
“‘Like No One Could’ is a reminder that through all the uncertainties, the essence of love is constant. The track speaks to the promise of love enduring even as circumstances shift around us. It’s about recognizing the inevitability of change, but choosing to hold on to the connection we share. No matter how we evolve or what the mirror reflects back at us, the commitment remains.” – Flora Cash
“My Ex Wouldn’t Have Left By Now” begins with clean, delicate guitar tones before transitioning into a playful and irresistibly catchy vocal performance. This love song feels tailor-made for a first dance at a wedding, celebrating the grandeur of love while touching on the vulnerability of feeling unworthy of the affection we receive in a relationship.
As the song progresses, it builds in intensity, culminating in a striking finale featuring distorted vocals that add emotional depth and rawness. Speaking to Rock the Pigeon, the band shared heartfelt insights about the creation of this tender and evocative track:
Cole: With “My Ex Would’ve Left By Now,” we’re reflecting on the struggle to accept the care and patience of someone who stays, even when we feel unworthy.
Shpresa: This track is a raw and introspective look at self-doubt and the fear of maybe not living up to our end of the bargain.
Cole: We tried to capture the tension between recognizing our flaws and appreciating the (rare) love that endures despite them.
The song flows seamlessly into the next track, “Morning Comes,” where listeners are treated to a stunning pedal steel performance by Dakota Holden. The track gradually builds, layering piano, bass, drums, and guitars into a lush, textured arrangement that perfectly complements the heartfelt duet vocals. With its warm, country-Americana vibe and a chorus that’s both memorable and emotionally resonant, “Morning Comes” feels like an anthem for reflection and resilience. This track effortlessly blends the duo’s signature sound with a classic Americana influence, creating a moment of both familiarity and freshness.
“‘Morning Comes’ is a journey through the fear of commitment and the emotional scars that hold us back from fully loving. The song captures the bittersweet reality of connections and farewells, beautifully woven with Dakota Holden’s pedal steel. It’s a heartfelt exploration of vulnerability and the struggle to embrace love in the face of personal wounds.” – flora cash
As the vocals unfold, the deep affection and emotional sincerity of the performance shine through, pulling listeners into the heartfelt love that inspired the song. It’s a track that resonates on multiple levels, leaving an unfading impression with its charm and authenticity.
Lately, we find ourselves unexpectedly drawn towards a meta-modern approach in our songwriting. It seems to be a natural progression of our thinking. Through that lens, Baby I Love You explores a concept of love that doesn’t need reasons or explanations. From the lowest lows to the highest highs, it just is. It’s messy and confusing. In love, sometimes not making sense makes the most sense.
We tried to capture this in the production as well, mixing different styles in a way that feels right for the message we’re conveying. Dakota Holden’s pedal steel performance adds a unique country flavor but the song doesn’t settle into a single genre. It’s different from much of what we’ve done in recent years, with a brighter, more positive feel that came as a bit of a surprise even to us.
“The Night is Young” is yet another magical track, showcasing Shpresa Lleshaj’s captivating vocals alongside a delicate blend of piano and pedal steel. The song captures the ethereal magic of a perfect night, one so wonderful that you wish it could last forever. From the opening notes to the final moments, the romance in this track is palpable, weaving a narrative of connection and timeless love.
Its sweeping melodies and heartfelt lyrics make it an ideal choice for a wedding dance, evoking a sense of intimacy and joy. At the same time, its cinematic quality lends itself beautifully to a movie soundtrack, adding depth and emotion to any romantic scene. With its tender instrumentation and soulful delivery, “The Night is Young” is a standout piece that leaves a lasting impression.
“i’m tired” delves into darker territory, anchored in a haunting minor key. Cole Randall delivers a deeply emotional performance, pouring his heart into every note. Vocally, this track stands out for its raw authenticity, his voice trembles throughout, conveying an unfiltered expression of pain and vulnerability. The unpolished, heartfelt delivery amplifies the song’s emotional weight, drawing listeners into the depths of his suffering. It’s a gripping moment on the album, showcasing the power of imperfection in creating something profoundly real. It also offers a new sound to the listener’s ears.
“’i’m tired’ is a lyrical and sonic reflection on the emotional exhaustion that often accompanies profound love and disillusionment. It’s a song that doesn’t shy away from the raw edges of human connection, weaving together themes of truth, authenticity, and the relentless pursuit of self-understanding. It’s a piece for those who’ve walked the fine line between passion and weariness and have found strength in vulnerability.” – flora cash
The angsty feel is broken by the beautiful yet haunting sound of strings, piano, and a vocal delivery by Shpresa Lleshaj that rests in a higher register. “HOLY WATER” also feels deeply emotional, but feels more beautiful and epic than it does angsty or hurt. This song builds throughout. The most impressive part of this track is the gorgeous harmonies. Shpresa Lleshaj gives this track her all.
“‘Morning Comes’ is a journey through the fear of commitment and the emotional scars that hold us back from fully loving. The song captures the bittersweet reality of connections and farewells, beautifully woven with Dakota Holden’s pedal steel. It’s a heartfelt exploration of vulnerability and the struggle to embrace love in the face of personal wounds.” – flora cash
The guitars come back to the center stage for “Dragon.” This beautiful ballad will surely take your breath away. Almost everyone has gone through the trenches of life and come into the light, sometimes more than once. This song is about going through something profoundly difficult but rising above it. The orchestral percussive elements bring a unique depth to the track, adding a cinematic quality that complements its emotional weight. “Dragon” is both powerful and uplifting, an anthem about resilience and the beauty of rising above life’s challenges.
“Dragon” speaks to the heart of battling through darkness and finding your fire again. It’s about being lost, then discovering strength you didn’t know you had. This song is for anyone who’s ever felt like they were fading away, only to rise stronger, ready to take on the world anew. It’s a raw, honest journey from the depths to the light.” – flora cash
The album concludes with “The Builder (För J. Blom),” a track that demands attention and should not be overlooked. What sets this song apart is its striking string arrangement and intricate percussive elements, which create a rich and evocative soundscape. To fully appreciate its depth, it’s worth understanding the meaning behind the song before listening, an insight that amplifies its emotional impact and resonance. This powerful closing piece leaves a lasting impression, rounding out the album with elegance and purpose.
“The Builder (För J. Blom)” is a tribute to a dear friend, a builder, who left us too soon. He was a creator in his own right, turning raw materials into structures that stood strong and served others. We’ve tried to echo this using the very sounds of his trade – hammers, saws, and bricks – as percussion instruments. It’s an unusual choice perhaps, but it feels right. It’s his song after all. In weaving this sonic narrative, we were fortunate to collaborate with Djordje Milanovic and Yoed Nir, whose poignant contributions on violin, viola, and cello added to the depth and texture of the piece. A slow-burning distortion grows and fades throughout the track, reflecting the sharp sting of loss. “The Builder” is a tribute to a friend, and an acknowledgment of the unsung builders in our world. Each note carries a piece of our friend’s spirit, the intensity of our grief, and the beauty of his enduring legacy.
Listen to behind evey beautiful thing now on Spotify:
Written by Ryan Cassata
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